Jet regulator

ABSTRACT

A jet regulator for fluids includes a housing wall and a deflecting device arranged at least partially within the housing wall. The deflecting device deflects a centrally inflowing fluid oppositely to its inlet direction. The deflecting device and the housing wall define a flow path.

The invention relates to a jet regulator for fluids. The invention relates further to a method of forming a water jet. The invention is directed, in particular, to sanitary technology.

Jet regulators are extremely well known in the prior art. They serve to form a water jet and optionally to interfuse it with air. This requires a high tolerance standard of the components, which are in part of delicate construction and moreover must be precisely aligned with one another during assembly.

It is the object of the invention to provide a jet regulator which may be manufactured more simply by comparison with known jet regulators and is in the position at the same time to form a jet which is favourable from the fluidic point of view.

In order to solve this object, the jet regulator in accordance with the invention includes a housing wall and a deflecting device arranged at least partially within the housing wall, wherein the deflecting device deflects centrally inflowing fluid oppositely to its inlet direction and wherein the deflecting device and the housing wall define a flow path for the fluid.

The invention provides a jet regulator, which is of particularly simple construction and requires only a few components. Furthermore, the components of the jet regulator which are used may be easily manufactured. The invention is basically suitable for fluids in general but the invention is, however, directed in particular to water applications.

The core purpose of a jet regulator is to create a defined and stable jet. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the flow within the jet regulator, even if it is of simple construction, is smoothed.

The invention is based on the recognition that it is advantageous to permit the fluid, particularly water, to flow into the jet regulator so that the fluid impinges centrally, that is to say in the middle of the deflecting device. The deflecting device deflects the centrally inflowing fluid oppositely to its inlet direction. The fluid is then again deflected and flows through a flow path, which is defined by the deflecting device and the housing wall. As a result of the multiple deflections, the fluid experiences a particular calming process. The spacing between the deflecting device and the housing wall in the peripheral direction is preferably substantially constant. Such a construction provides a constant and thus uniform flow area.

The fluid is advantageously conducted outwardly in its flow path, when it is deflected, until it is again flowing in the inlet direction between the deflecting device and the inner wall of the housing, that is to say in a peripheral outer region of the jet regulator.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the deflecting device has a preferably central impingement surface, which limits the inflow of the fluid. A first calming of the inflowing fluid takes place at the impingement surface. The fluid is conducted further from there oppositely to its inlet direction. For this purpose, the deflecting device advantageously has an inner wall, which laterally defines the flow path of the fluid. The inner wall is preferably of circular shape so that a type of fluid ring can form. It is considered to be particularly advantageous from the structural and fluidic points of view if the inner wall is of cylindrical construction. The inner wall is preferably continuous.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the deflecting device has a convexly domed outer wall. The domed outer wall is preferably directed towards the inner surface of the housing wall and conveniently defines together with the housing wall an annular space. The fluid is thus deflected, optionally many times, in the form of a calmed fluid ring. The domed outer wall provides for a targeted influence on the flow velocity.

The deflecting device advantageously has an overflow edge, which is flat. The overflow edge thus has no recesses or the like. This feature also contributes to the calming of the fluid flow.

In this connection, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the flow path between the deflecting device and the housing wall initially narrows in the flow direction of the fluid and then broadens again. The fluid is thus initially accelerated in the flow direction and, after passing the narrowest area, decelerated again.

The deflecting device optionally includes a rearward central peg. The peg can be constructed integrally with the deflecting device and has, amongst other things, the function of straightening the flow of the fluid for a defined discharge out of the jet regulator. It can be advantageous in this connection if the peg tapers towards its free end.

It can further be advantageously provided that the peg defines together with the housing wall, at least in sections, a first annular space. The peg and the convex outer wall define a deflecting device, which is preferably of mushroom-like construction.

The peg preferably extends, when viewed laterally, beyond the housing wall. In addition to fluidic advantages, the peg can thus particularly advantageously support a screen, which is fixed between the housing and the peg. The screen is constructed with a coarse mesh in order to counteract clogging by lime and/or dirt. A flow straightener can in general also be used, that is to say also, for example, a grid or the like.

It was already mentioned above that the fluid enters centrally into the jet regulator and is then deflected a number of times. The term central entry is to be understood, in particular, as meaning that the fluid does not flow into the jet regulator in the peripheral region. An inlet device is preferably provided for central entry, through which the fluid is conducted centrally onto the deflecting device. This can, in the simplest case, be a panel with a central opening, which can be connected, for instance, to the deflecting device and/or the housing wall.

The inlet device advantageously defines the housing wall. Such a construction requires only a very few components and is of simple construction.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the inlet device defines together with the deflecting device a second annular space. After the impingement of the fluid on the deflecting device, a fluid ring is thus formed at a very early time, which is considered in the context of the invention to be advantageous from the fluidic point of view. The fluid flows into the annular space in a direction opposite to its inlet flow direction. As stated above, both the formation of a fluid ring and also the deflection contribute to the calming and alignment of the fluid.

As an alternative to the aforementioned panel, the inlet device is advantageously constructed in the form of a flow rate controller or limiter. Such a flow rate controller advantageously produces a constant volumetric flow independent of pressure with the same jet control. A flow rate limiter limits the flow rate of the fluid.

For simple assembly, the deflecting device preferably includes a fastening device for fastening the deflecting device to an inlet device for the fluid. The inlet device can thus be coupled to the deflecting device. The fastening device is preferably arranged centrally on the deflecting device and permits fastening of the deflecting device from above. This permits the flow path between the deflecting device and the housing wall to remain clear and, in particular, no webs or the like are required in the flow path in order to hold the deflecting device.

It is structurally advantageous if the fastening device is constructed in the form of a preferably circular groove. Projections, for instance, on an inlet device can engage into the groove, which creates a reliable and durable connection.

It is alternatively proposed that the fastening device is constructed in the form of a peg receptacle for receiving a peg on an inlet device. Such a connection is particularly advantageous in that both components, the deflecting device and the inlet device, may be simply manufactured.

The jet regulator in accordance with the invention is of so simple construction that all the components can be manufactured of metal. This creates new fields of application for the jet regulator.

The object referred to above is further solved in accordance with the invention by a method of forming a water jet, wherein:

-   -   water is introduced into a jet regulator in a first flow         direction;     -   the water is conducted in the jet regulator initially radially         outwardly and then oppositely to the first flow direction; and         wherein     -   the water is then conducted in the jet regulator initially         radially outwardly and then in the first flow direction.

As a result of the repeated deflection of the water, in part oppositely to its inlet direction, the method in accordance with the invention creates a particular calming effect and thus a discharge jet which is favourable from the fluidic point of view. Such a fluidically favourable jet is characterised by the fact that, amongst other things, it does not “fray” after its discharge. Furthermore, initial tests have shown that the method in accordance with the invention results in surprisingly lower noise generation, which is also considered to be particularly advantageous.

The radial deflection of the water towards the exterior, before it flows oppositely to the first flow direction, occurs in a guided manner as defined by the invention. This is intended to be made clear by the term “conducted” used in the claims. The same applies to the flow oppositely to the first flow direction.

The flow of the water oppositely to the first flow direction advantageously occurs, at least partially, in a second annular space in the jet regulator. The annular space permits guided movement of the water, in which the water can settle down, which has a positive influence on the jet shape and on the noise, which a jet regulator generates. Attempts are regularly made to maintain the noise generation as minimal as possible. Incidentally, the formulation that the flow occurs oppositely to the first flow direction at least partially in an annular space is intended to embrace the case that the flow can initially occur oppositely to the first flow direction without an annular space. This is, for instance, the case when the annular space is partially crossed by inlet openings. Nevertheless, in the discussed preferred embodiment of the invention, an annular space is provided in which the water flows oppositely to the first flow direction.

The water preferably flows in the radial direction through a vertical annular space, before it discharges in the first flow direction out of the jet regulator. The vertical annular space also contributes to the calming of the flow. The term vertical annular space is to be understood in the context of the invention as an annular space which extends vertically in a jet regulator, into which the water enters from the top, that is to say also downwardly from above. In this connection, it is pointed out that the horizontal dimension can be arbitrarily small. With an arbitrarily small horizontal dimension, the annular space tends towards a (vertical) annular surface, which is inherently also associated with the advantages in accordance with the invention.

It is proposed in an embodiment of the invention that the water is initially accelerated in the first flow direction and then decelerated again before it discharges from the jet regulator. The acceleration and deceleration advantageously occur in the flow section directly before the water outlet from the jet regulator in the flow direction. This results in a uniform distribution and calming of the flow and thus in a homogenous jet.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a jet regulator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the jet regulator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of a jet regulator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the jet regulator of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view of a third exemplary embodiment of a jet regulator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the jet regulator of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a jet regulator in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a jet regulator in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of the jet regulator in accordance with the invention. From the top downwards, the jet regulator has the following components in FIG. 1:

A first screen 1, a membrane 2, an inlet device 3, a deflecting device 4, a second screen 5 and a housing wall 6. The deflecting device 4 and the housing wall 6 are obligatory in the context of the invention. They constitute essential components of the jet regulator.

The basic function of the jet regulator in accordance with the invention should be at least foreshadowed at this point in conjunction with FIG. 1. The first screen 1 is a dirt screen. It serves to retain dirt particles in the fluid.

The membrane 2 has a plurality of openings 7, through which the fluid flows. The membrane is of flexible construction.

The inlet device 3 is constructed as a flow rate limiter and has a flow contact surface 8. The membrane is bendable in the installed state (see FIG. 2) in the direction towards the flow contact surface 8. The inlet device 3 further has a circular groove 9, into which the membrane 2 (and optionally screen 1) is or are insertable.

The inlet device 3 further has a plurality of flow openings 10, through which the fluid can flow. Formed on the underside of the inlet device 3 is a plurality of feet 11, which serve to fasten the deflecting device, as will be described in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 2.

The basic shape of the deflecting device 4 is mushroom-shaped and at its lower end it has a peg 12 which, on the one hand, has a flow guiding function for the fluid and, on the other hand, holds the screen 5 at a spacing. The deflecting device 4 further includes an inner wall I, which laterally defines the flow path. The deflecting device also has an overflow edge Ü which is of substantially flat construction.

The screen 5 preferably has a relatively coarse mesh size and functions as a flow straightener. The fluid flowing through the screen 5 is homogenised by the screen 5. The screen 5 preferably has a coarser mesh size than the screen 1.

The housing wall 6 holds the screen 5 in position and defines with the deflecting device 4 a flow path, as will be described in more detail below.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is a sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment, when assembled. The screen 1 and the membrane 2 are clipped into the inlet device 3, whereby the screen is situated in the inlet device 3 in a pre-stressed state. The membrane 2 is preferably aligned flat in its unloaded state. The membrane 2 and the inlet device 3 define between them a gap 13, which is preferably produced by the fact that the flow contact surface 8 is inclined downwardly towards the interior of the flow rate controller.

The fluid flows from the top, in the drawing, through the screen 1 and through the openings 7 into the flow rate controller, as is indicated by the arrow P. This represents the inlet direction.

At low pressure of the fluid, the openings 7 are preferably completely open. If the fluid pressure increases, the membrane 2 bends downwardly in the direction towards the flow contact surface 8. The open area of the openings thus decreases. The result is a substantially constant volumetric flow of the fluid despite the increased fluid pressure. It will be understood that with pressure fluctuations of the fluid small volumetric flow fluctuations can occur.

The fluid thus flows through the openings 7 and the subsequent flow openings 10 in the inlet device 3 and impinges there against an impingement surface 14 on the deflecting device 4. The fluid can thus not flow through the deflecting device 4. Respective openings 15 are instead formed between the feet 11 of the inlet device 3, through which the fluid flows away laterally out of the inlet device 3.

The inlet device 3 and the deflecting device 4 connected to the inlet device advantageously define between them a second annular space 16. The fluid flows from there into a cavity 17 defined on the underside of the inlet device. The cavity 17 is advantageously of circular shape.

The deflecting device 4 has a convex outer surface 18. This defines together with the housing wall 6 a flow path 19. The fluid flows through the flow path 19 and downwardly out of the jet regulator.

The deflecting device 4 also has a fastening device, constructed in the form of a circular groove 20, for fastening the deflecting device 4 to the inlet device 3.

Reference is made at this point to the fact that, in the context of the invention, terms such as “top” and “bottom” are used. Although the jet regulator in accordance with the invention can be installed in any desired orientation, these terms relate to an upright jet regulator, as is shown, for instance, in FIG. 2. In the context of the invention, the terms “interior”, “exterior” and “centre” are also used. These terms relate to the component in question. Thus the middle or the centre of the deflecting device is to be understood, for instance, as that region which is defined by the axis passing downwardly from above centrally in FIG. 2 through the flow rate controller. The deflecting device 4 has, for instance, one axis of symmetry. The centre is not fixed on the axis or a point on the axis. The adjoining region is instead also included.

FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a jet regulator, whose inlet device 21, in distinction to the first exemplary embodiment, instead of a plurality of flow openings 10 (see e.g. FIGS. 1 and 2), has only one central flow opening 22. This can have advantages from the fluidic point of view. The illustrated second exemplary embodiment is otherwise of the same construction as the first. This applies also to the fastening of the housing wall 6 to the annular body 3, which is preferably produced by a press fit. The screen 5 is also, as in the first exemplary embodiment, clipped into the housing wall 6 and is held at a spacing by the peg 12.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third exemplary embodiment of the flow rate controller in accordance with the invention, which differs from the first two exemplary embodiments, amongst other things, in the fastening of the deflecting device to the inlet device.

The inlet device 23 includes a central peg 24. Advantageously formed around the peg 24 is a plurality of flow openings 10. The deflecting device 25 has a central peg receptacle 26. In order to connect the deflecting device 25 to the inlet device 23 the peg 24 is pushed into the peg receptacle 26, preferably as a press-fit. Such a connection has the advantage of simple manufacture of the inlet device 23, also even if the inlet device 23 consists of metal, particularly stainless steel, as is considered to be preferred.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment in accordance with the invention. For reasons of clarity, the same reference numerals are used for components as were used in conjunction with the other exemplary embodiments, even if the components differ structurally slightly from one another.

An inlet device is marked with the reference numeral 27, to which, as also in the exemplary embodiments described above, a membrane 2 and a screen 1 are fastened. The membrane includes openings 7. Formed centrally in the inlet device are flow openings 10.

The fourth exemplary embodiment differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments, in particular in the fact that it has no separate housing all 6 (see, for instance, FIG. 6). The housing wall 28 is instead defined by the inlet device 27. The inlet device 27 and the housing wall 28 are preferably of one-piece construction. This provides a particularly simple construction with only a few components.

The fourth exemplary embodiment further includes a deflecting device 29, as is basically known from the first exemplary embodiment. However, the peg 12 is absent in this case (see, for instance, FIG. 2). The deflecting device has an outer surface 18, which is preferably of convex shape and defines with the inner surface of the housing wall 28 a flow path 19, as has already been described in conjunction with FIG. 2. The deflecting device 29 and the inlet device 27 define a vertical annular space 30, as is basically regarded as advantageous. Water flows radially outwardly through it from the interior.

The deflecting device 29 is connected to the inlet device 27 by means of feet 11, which engage into a groove 20 in the deflecting device 29, as was explained in more detail in conjunction with the first exemplary embodiment.

A flow profile will be described below. The profile is only indicated in a purely exemplary manner for viewing purposes. Water flows into the jet regulator in a first flow direction (arrow P1). The water is conducted within the jet regulator radially outwardly in the direction of the arrow P2. The water is then conducted in the direction of the arrow P3 opposite to the first flow direction and then initially radially outwardly in the direction of the arrow P4 and subsequently in the direction of the arrow P5 in the flow direction. The flow in the direction of the arrow P3 occurs in the second annular space 16. The flow in the direction of the arrow P4 occurs through the vertical annular space 30.

FIG. 8 shows the fifth exemplary embodiment, which differs from the fourth exemplary embodiment merely in the fastening of the deflecting device 29 to the inlet device 27. For this purpose, the inlet device 27 has a peg 24, which, analogously to the third exemplary embodiment, engages into a peg receptacle 26. The inlet device 27 and the deflecting device 29 are preferably connected together by means of a press connection, as is generally advantageous.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Screen     -   2 Membrane     -   3 Inlet device     -   4 Deflecting device     -   5 Screen     -   6 Housing wall     -   7 Openings     -   8 Flow contact surface     -   9 Groove     -   10 Flow openings     -   11 Feet     -   12 Peg     -   13 Gap     -   14 Impingement surface     -   15 Opening     -   16 Second annular space     -   17 Cavity     -   18 Outer surface     -   19 Flow path     -   20 Groove     -   21 Inlet device     -   22 Flow opening     -   23 Inlet device     -   24 Peg     -   25 Deflecting device     -   26 Peg receptacle     -   27 Inlet device     -   28 Housing wall     -   29 Deflecting device     -   30 Vertical annular space     -   P Arrow     -   I Inner wall     -   Ü Overflow edge     -   P1 Arrow     -   P2 Arrow     -   P3 Arrow     -   P4 Arrow     -   P5 Arrow 

1. A jet regulator for fluids including a housing wall, a deflecting device arranged at least partially within the housing wall wherein the deflecting device deflects a centrally inflowing fluid oppositely to an inlet flow direction of the fluid, and wherein the deflecting device and the housing wall define a flow path.
 2. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between the deflecting device and the housing wall in the peripheral direction is substantially constant.
 3. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device has a preferably central impingement surface, which limits the inflow of the fluid.
 4. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device has a preferably circular inner wall, which laterally defines the flow path of the fluid.
 5. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inner wall is of continuous construction.
 6. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device has a convexly domed outer wall.
 7. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device has an upper overflow edge, which is flat.
 8. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow path between the deflecting device and the housing wall initially narrows in the flow direction of the fluid and then widens again.
 9. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device has a rearward, central peg.
 10. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the peg tapers towards its free end.
 11. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the peg defines with the housing wall, at least in sections, a first annular space.
 12. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the peg extends beyond the housing wall, when viewed laterally.
 13. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a flow straightener, which is preferably constructed in the form of a screen and is fixed in position between the housing wall and the peg.
 14. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inlet device for the fluid, through which the fluid is conducted centrally onto the deflecting device.
 15. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inlet device defines the housing wall.
 16. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inlet device defines with the deflecting device a second annular space.
 17. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid flows in the second annular space oppositely to the inlet flow direction of the fluid.
 18. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inlet device is constructed in the form of a flow rate controller or limiter.
 19. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device includes a fastening device for fastening the deflecting device to an inlet device.
 20. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fastening device is arranged centrally on the deflecting device and permits fastening of the deflecting device from above.
 21. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fastening device is constructed in the form of a preferably circular groove.
 22. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fastening device is constructed in the form of a peg receptacle for receiving a peg on an inlet device.
 23. A jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the components of the jet regulator comprise a metal.
 24. A method of forming a water jet, wherein water is introduced into a jet regulator in a first flow direction; the water is conducted in the jet regulator initially radially outwardly and then oppositely to the first flow direction; and wherein the water is then conducted in the jet regulator again radially outwardly and then in the first flow direction.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the flow of the water oppositely to the first flow direction occurs at least partially in a second annular space in the jet regulator.
 26. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the water flows in the radial direction through a vertical annular space before it discharges out of the jet regulator in the first flow direction.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the water is initially accelerated in the first flow direction and then decelerated again before it discharges from the jet regulator. 